SHELTON HERITAGE SOCIETY OF GEORGIA & HISTORIC POSSUM TROT, INC.
Ancestral Family of Hardy and Mary Bearden Shelton
A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Research. Advocacy. Legacy. Preservation. Community.
Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin, Berry College
Preserving the Past. Enhancing the Present. Elevating the Future.
The Shelton Heritage Society of GA & Historic Possum Trot, Inc. is a nonprofit/nonstock corporation founded on the principle of restoration. We are committed to the preservation, promotion, documentation, research, and advocacy of the rich history and legacy of Hardy and Mary Bearden Shelton, including, but not limited to, highlighting both the family’s origin and descendant community’s contributions to agriculture, business, education, and community. Our work also encompasses the Shelton family's ties to the African diaspora, Indigenous heritage, enslavement, Coosa, the Shelton Family Settlement at Possum Trot founded by Hardy and Mary in 1874, Virginia, North Carolina and the Cathey-Shelton Family Settlement in Robertson County, Texas and other regions where Hardy and Mary and their descendants settled. Through historical research, community service, advocacy, and educational initiatives, we seek to honor our ancestors, strengthen and reconnect family lines, and ensure that the family’s impact is recognized for generations to come. Informally affiliated with the research site Shelton Family Settlement at Possum Trot, of which our founder is the creator, we support all efforts to preserve and expand the knowledge of the Shelton family’s history.
Preservation, Partnership & Public Memory
Welcoming Taneya Koonce to the Besa Saka Historical Research and Preservation Advisory Council
We are also pleased to welcome genealogist, educator, and information science professional Taneya Koonce to the Besa Saka Historical Research and Preservation Advisory Board. With more than 25 years of experience in information science and research, Taneya is widely respected for her work in genealogy education, family history preservation, and community leadership. She serves in leadership and volunteer roles with organizations including the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society (AAHGS), the USGenWeb Project, and WikiTree, and is the founder of the Academy of Legacy Leaders online community. Her dedication to helping individuals preserve, organize, and share ancestral narratives reflects the heart of this work.
Georgia Black History Trail and Other News
The Shelton Heritage Society of Georgia & Historic Possum Trot, along with other members of the Shelton Family Settlement at Possum Trot Preservation Team that engages with Berry College, is pleased to partner with the Georgia Black History Trail as we continue efforts to preserve, interpret, and uplift the history connected to Hardy and Mary Bearden Shelton, Possum Trot, and the broader interconnected family and community legacy.
Our organization was invited to participate in the Georgia Black History Trail through outreach connected to preservation and public history efforts. Following that invitation, information was shared with members of the Preservation Team and additional descendant and community-centered groups interested in preservation, genealogy, and historical engagement.
We are additionally grateful to participate in an upcoming forum in May 2026 related to collaborative conversations centered on genealogy, preservation, descendant engagement, and public memory.
Together, these collaborations reflect a shared commitment to our ancestors’ history, historic preservation, descendant engagement, and community memory. As our work continues to grow, we invite you to explore the preservation initiatives, educational programming, research, and collaborative efforts shaping this ongoing journey.
Explore Our Work →
Thank You for Celebrating 150 Years of Legacy with Us!
Thank you to everyone who took part in our 150th anniversary event. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your contributions. While our gathering was intimate, its impact was profound. Every shared story, conversation, and moment of reflection played a vital role in preserving and honoring the rich legacy of the Shelton family.
Thank you for being part of this journey! Click the button below to watch the highlights, featuring national and international award-winning Maryland-based poet Gayle Danley, whose work has been showcased on such media outlets as CBS and in The New York Times. You can learn more about Danley at HERE.
Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin - Berry College
Cultural Advocacy.
The Shelton Heritage Society advocates for the preservation and recognition of the Shelton family’s historical contributions, both locally and nationally. Beyond historical documentation, the organization’s efforts include collaboration with descendants, community members, experts and organizations in history and preservation to ensure the Shelton family’s legacy is honored.
The Shelton Heritage Society of GA & Historic Possum Trot, Inc. (Shelton Heritage Society/SHS) is strongly committed to in-depth historical research. For over eight years, extensive genealogical and archival research, in which our leadership has played a critical role, has uncovered vital documents and other information contributing to the renaming of the Possum Trot Cemetery to the Shelton Family Cemetery and the installation of a historical marker on the site of the Shelton family’s historic Possum Trot settlement located at what is now known as Berry College. (Pictured: Shelton Family Settlement at Possum Trot historical marker installed 2021 - Dedicated 2022)
Research Curation.
Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin - Berry College
Historic Preservation.
Not only does SHS raise awareness about the physical and cultural landmarks associated with the Shelton family’s history, but we are also engaged in preserving the family’s intangible heritage. Through a collaborative effort, we strive to preserve Shelton-connected historic sites, such as the former homestead of Lee and Frances “Fannie” Shelton Cathey in Robertson County, Texas, along with any related material culture and documentation.
Central to our mission is the belief that healing, empowerment, and transformation can come from reconnection and awareness of one’s legacy. Committed to reconnecting descendants of Hardy and Mary Bearden Shelton after decades of separation, SHS is also working to reestablish ties with the origin family of our ancestors. We strive to create a space where healing and unity can thrive. Could you be a descendant? If so, click the link below!
Legacy Cultivation & Reconnection.
According to oral history passed down by the descendants of Lee and Fannie Shelton Cathey, during the Great Depression, their children shared crops from their fields in Robertson County, Texas, with people of all races to help ensure no families went hungry. Across the nation, our family believes in helping others and has a strong tradition of giving back to their communities. At SHS, we believe in the undeniable impact of reaching back to help those in need.
Service to Our Community.
Listen as a descendant and one of the Cathey and Shelton family historians and genealogy researchers, describes the history of the Shelton family at Possum Trot, Hardy and Mary Bearden Shelton’s last known homestead in Rome, Georgia, and the impact of her fourth great grandparent’s legacy.
WCLK Atlanta Jazz Interview.
The Impact of Knowing One’s Family History
Watch as William Alexander Monroe, III, a third great-grandson of Pinkney and Laura Shelton Franklin, describes what being on the land of his ancestors and the cemetery where his ancestors rest means to him. Evidence suggests that Laura may be buried in the Shelton Family Cemetery at Possum Trot.
Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin - Berry College
At SHS, we are deeply committed to restorative practices that promote healing and justice as we embark upon this sacred work. Our mission is not only to preserve and document the rich history of the Shelton family but also to address the historical injustices faced by our ancestors. Through restorative practices, we aim to reconnect descendants, rebuild relationships, and create a space for open dialogue about our shared heritage. We believe that by honoring the past and fostering a spirit of healing, we can move forward together, ensuring that the legacy of our ancestors, which is shared equally by all descendants, continues to inspire and uplift future generations.
A Sacred Work. Restorative Practices.
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Photo Credit: Deidra Roberson - Descendant
Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin - Berry College
Photo Credit: Deidra Roberson - Descendant
Photo Credit: Deidra Roberson - Descendant